Hayes & Yeading United assistant manager Tristan Lewis believes Lewis Ferrell played a massive part in their success over Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

The 23-year-old returned to the club last week and went straight into the side that won 2-1 in Kent.

And Lewis believes the versatile defender, who can also play in midfield, was instrumental in the victory that lifted Hayes & Yeading up to seventh in Conference South.

He said: "Having Lewis back made a massive difference, having Macca [Gary MacDonald] injured is a massive blow but Lewis stepped in with the defensive triangle.

“It was a nerve racking win against a well efficient and organised team but getting three points is fantastic.”

United welcomed back keeper Calum Kitscha who had recovered from illness picked up on England C duty and he pulled off a fantastic one-handed save to stop Charlie Sheringham giving the hosts the lead midway through the first period.

It was a half of few chances although Hayes & Yeading finished the half strongly as Dean Inman headed over from a free kick and Pat Cox drew a save from former United stopper Brandon Hall.

Hayes & Yeading went in front five minutes after the restart when Ashleigh Artwell laid the ball off to Louis-Rae Beadle who curled home.

The hosts piled on the pressure and Kitscha kept his side in front as he again denied Sheringham and then brilliantly pushed away Anthony Cook's header from a free kick.

And against the run of play, Hayes & Yeading doubled their lead as Beadle found Wishart, who raced 25 yards unchallenged before firing a shot low and hard past Hall via the inside of the post.

Ebbsfleet made it a nervy finale when Daryl McMahon's free kick wasn't cleared and the ball was deflected past man of the match Kitscha by Matt Ruby under pressure from Anthony Acheampong.

However, Hayes & Yeading held on to take the three points and will look to build on that when they host Sutton United on Sunday.

Meanwhile, next Saturday's game at Gosport Borough has been postponed because United's opponents are still involved in the FA Cup.